Gaza: Nine Palestinian prisoners who had been held in Israeli military prisons have been released and arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah. The prisoners were handed over by Israeli authorities to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as reported by Al Jazeera’s correspondent on the ground.
This development comes after months of detention under harsh conditions, where thousands of Palestinians have been arrested from Gaza since the beginning of the conflict, often held under administrative detention without charge and reportedly subjected to torture.
In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed the parents of one of the captives, Eitan Mor, that the government is working on a deal to return 10 of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
According to the Tikva Forum, a captive advocacy group, Netanyahu called Mor’s parents on Sunday night. Zvika Mor, the captive’s father and co-founder of the group, stressed the need for an agreement that would bring back all of the captives at once. He warned that returning them in separate exchanges could endanger their lives.
Together, these moves highlight ongoing efforts to address the issue of captives and detainees amid the broader conflict. While the release of the nine prisoners marks a small but significant humanitarian step. The international community and advocacy groups continue to call for a fair and comprehensive resolution that ensures the safe return of all captives.
